Can I review MY OWN APP on the app store? ;-)

FranzKellerFranzKeller Member Posts: 517
I have decent sales for a first game, Radarhead

But not enough star ratings or comments on the App Store

Would they get mad If I write a review there, with my iTunes customer account?
After all, each person is theoretically allowed one vote, right?

Comments

  • DreamWorldDreamWorld Member Posts: 43
    Yes you can!
  • design219design219 Member Posts: 2,273
    Everybody does. It's sometimes a good idea to wait a bit just in case you need to correct something someone else says.
  • TymeMasterTymeMaster Member Posts: 527
    FranzKeller said:
    I have decent sales for a first game, Radarhead

    But not enough star ratings or comments on the App Store

    Would they get mad If I write a review there, with my iTunes customer account?
    After all, each person is theoretically allowed one vote, right?

    Sure you can, but to be honest everyone seems to ignore the 4 and 5 star reviews because it's usually real obvious that they were created by the developer, his friends, or family members. The only time this isn't true is when the app has like 500+ reviews and hundreds of them are 5-4 star.

    Basically, don't sweat it, your reviews will not help sell copies at all.
  • Rob2Rob2 Member Posts: 2,402
    I forgot to review...sorry...will go do it now :)
  • FranzKellerFranzKeller Member Posts: 517
    design219 said:
    Everybody does. It's sometimes a good idea to wait a bit just in case you need to correct something someone else says.
    Aha yes, I had considered that...

    Out only chance to do a "return comment"', unlike YouTube

    Even though, you can come back at any time and change / edit your review of a particular product, right?
  • JamesZeppelinJamesZeppelin Member Posts: 1,927
    I have no problem coming right out and saying I made this game and you should download it. :)
  • FranzKellerFranzKeller Member Posts: 517
    JamesZeppelin said:
    I have no problem coming right out and saying I made this game and you should download it. :)

    I wasn't planning on pretending to be someone else. ;-)

    When I post videos on YouTube, it can be a two way conversation.

    I've met some idiots (as I'm sure you have!),
    but also some cool and interesting people. ;-)
  • FranzKellerFranzKeller Member Posts: 517
    Rob2 said:
    I forgot to review...sorry...will go do it now :)

    Thanks Rob2! Much appreciated.

    I think that reviews actually DO help sell an App,
    Because I often read the reviews on an app I might buy?
    What people say can help you see through the marketing hype.
    (of course, depending on the commenters, it can also be utter nonsense,
    But it's 0Ften RLY oBV1iouS WHo iZ LiK3ly An iDiot!!!!! on the comments. ROFLCOPTER!!!)
  • TymeMasterTymeMaster Member Posts: 527
    FranzKeller said:

    I think that reviews actually DO help sell an App,

    They do help, but people are not stupid. It's very easy to see what reviews were done by the developer or his friends. You need real reviews to help, not your friends or by giving out promo codes. Personally I also ignore all 5 star reviews because it would need to be a triple AAA title for 5 stars in my opinion.

    What I really do prior to buying the game is search Youtube for a video so that I can watch the game play, or I also download a lite version. I like to see something before I buy it, and youtube videos are perfect! I also check out the developers website! If the developer is too lazy to setup a website or make a video, then I assume the game most likely sucks because come on, if the developer was serious, he would treat it as a serious buisness!
  • EastboundEastbound Member, BASIC Posts: 1,074
    TymeMaster said:
    They do help, but people are not stupid.

    I beg to differ...
    TymeMaster said:
    They do help, but people are not stupid. It's very easy to see what reviews were done by the developer or his friends. You need real reviews to help, not your friends or by giving out promo codes. Personally I also ignore all 5 star reviews because it would need to be a triple AAA title for 5 stars in my opinion.

    What I really do prior to buying the game is search Youtube for a video so that I can watch the game play, or I also download a lite version. I like to see something before I buy it, and youtube videos are perfect! I also check out the developers website! If the developer is too lazy to setup a website or make a video, then I assume the game most likely sucks because come on, if the developer was serious, he would treat it as a serious buisness!

    Um, did you see the "mirror" app that made it to the top 5 paid apps? Or the mario soundboard? There are plenty of other instances like this in the app store.

    Many people do not even read the first lines of an app's description (as proven by the mirror, mario soundboard, and hand warmer apps' reviews), much less cypher through the reviews.

    Your method of buying apps sounds very reasonable, and is exactly what a smart shopper would do. However, this is the app store, and most consumers do not go through the same process you do.
    FranzKeller said:
    Aha yes, I had considered that...

    Out only chance to do a "return comment"', unlike YouTube

    Even though, you can come back at any time and change / edit your review of a particular product, right?

    It'd be nice if apple let the devs reply, and it has been requested many times.

    But to the original point, I think your review can help a ton, especially if you're under 5 reviews. When people search for apps, they scan down looking at names, icons, and ratings. When they glance over, those 3 stars look much more appealing than 2.
  • TymeMasterTymeMaster Member Posts: 527
    Eastbound said:
    I beg to differ...

    Um, did you see the "mirror" app that made it to the top 5 paid apps? Or the mario soundboard? There are plenty of other instances like this in the app store.

    What the hell does that have to do with what I posted? I never said reviews sell games, I said reviews done by friends and family are obvious and will not help do anything.

    Not setting up a website or making a video of your app is simply stupid and the sign of a lazy person.

    We're talking about games here, games are visual! If you are making a calculator, then no, you don't need a video! But no website?? Come on here people, treat this as a business, or just forget about making money.
  • butterbeanbutterbean Member Posts: 4,315
    Getting positive reviews for your game really doesn't help. (Unless you're talking about the hundreds and thousands of positive reviews of the top 25 apps in the app store) If people want to purchase the app, they will purchase it, and not even gander at reviews.

    We're talking about an audience that has a very short attention span.

    Having a website set up makes you look professional, and gives a gateway for the customer to contact you, and view other apps.

    I think that is one of the most important aspects of running a business, and a no-brainer.

    And it's good for cross marketing your other apps, announcing apps to come, and giving customers a way in which to contact you, other than linking them to your email.
  • TymeMasterTymeMaster Member Posts: 527
    butterbean said:
    Getting positive reviews for your game really doesn't help. (Unless you're talking about the hundreds and thousands of positive reviews of the top 25 apps in the app store) If people want to purchase the app, they will purchase it, and not even gander at reviews.

    Exactly, so why do people make themselves look like idiots by having friends and family leave 5 star reviews that are clearly bogus? If anything it would make me not even bother looking at anything that person sells.
    butterbean said:
    Having a website set up makes you look professional, and gives a gateway for the customer to contact you, and view other apps.

    I think that is one of the most important aspects of running a business, and a no-brainer.

    Exactly, but you would be amazed that the majority of GameSalad developers link to the GameSalad site, and do not have one dedicated to their site OR their company! That is lame.

    There are also a handful of people who link to a website that interesting enough does NOT HAVE THEIR GAME or any info about it!

    LOL
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